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Urvi Patel Awarded FRED Scholarship

Jackson, MS. – Urvi Patel, a senior at Handley High School was selected to receive a $1,000 academic scholarship by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED). Nominated by TEC, the given award is based on merit and demonstrated commitment to rural life. FRED will send the awarded scholarship in her name to Patel’s selected university in late August of 2013. FRED selected 53 students from rural areas throughout the United States who were nominated by rural independent telephone companies and cooperatives. FRED awarded a total of $75,000 in 2013, which brings the total scholarship amount to $1.2 million.

FRED, a national charitable foundation located in Washington, DC, was founded in 1989. The FRED Scholarship Program, now in its 21st year, is made possible through the generosity of more than 500 small, independent telephone companies operating in rural areas across the United States and Canada. Vickie Cummings, Sales Supervisor from TEC wrote a letter of recommendation on behalf of Patel so that her application could be accepted and reviewed.

“TEC took great pride in sponsoring Urvi Patel as a candidate for the FRED Scholarship,” said Vickie Cummings. “It is our hope that in sponsoring her, we might encourage her and help bring her one step closer to pursuing her dreams of working in the medical field.”

FRED strives to promote education and development in rural areas. Small telephone companies, including TEC, are a valuable asset to their rural communities. TEC and the FRED are helping to create educational opportunities for rural America’s greatest resource, their younger generations.

“We are thrilled to award this prestigious scholarship to Urvi Patel. She was selected among an outstanding group of young people to represent ‘the best of the best’,” said FRED Executive Director, Melissa Korzuch. “FRED aims to assist students with high potential for success and a strong desire to return to a rural community upon graduation. We were overwhelmed by the remarkable credentials of the applicants. Each of this year’s FRED Scholars is very intelligent and exceedingly active in their community. We hope they all will someday return to their hometowns to contribute to the community that clearly gave them an admirable, productive start in life.”

More information about the successful applicants and how to apply for next year’s program is available at www.fred.org. FRED is a charitable 501(c)(3) foundation.

As an innovative and independent company based in Mississippi, TEC is committed to delivering reliable, customized communication services across the nation. In addition to offices in Mississippi, TEC also has offices in Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee.